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sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Just to let you know, in case you're one of those people who doesn't check the news before you head off to a foreign country, political protests in Thailand have started again.

It was just a few months ago in November that people were trapped for days in the international airport when it was seized by protestors.

I'm not saying don't go, but be aware and keep a constant eye on the situation.

Thousands at Government House
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/27/politics/politics_30098982.php

Gov't 'to avoid clashes'; protect airport
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/27/politics/politics_30098981.php

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

The natives are revolting!

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Ex-prime minister warns of revolution 'by the people'

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/04/politics/politics_30099639.php

...gathering of the "red shirts" next Wednesday (April 8 ) at the Royal Plaza.

Chiang Mai people urged to protest Abhisit at airport

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30099663/Chiang-Mai-people-urged-to-protest-Abhisit-at-airp

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

Since the occupation of Suvanabhumi airport a new law has been passed making it illegal to occupy all airports for purposes of demonstrations.

Rommel · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 121

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

the situation is intensifying... heads up folks...

Abhisit's vehicle attacked by red-shirted protesters in Pattaya

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30099819/Abhisits-vehicle-attacked-by-red-shirted-protester

Police to close three main roads for red-shirt rally tomorrow

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/07/politics/politics_30099809.php

The crowd of red shirts are expected tomorrow to swell up to 100,000 and police will close down traffic on three main roads, ...motorists should avoid three roads, Phitsanulok Road from Nang Loeng intersection to Thewes, Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue from the Royal Plaza to U Thong Nai Road, and Sri Ayutthaya Road from the Marble Temple to Si Sao Thewes intersection.

PM warns of 'decisive actions' against riot

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/topstory/30099769/PM-warns-of-'decisive-actions'-against-r

He said in a national address that the government would "take decisive actions" in case of riot or fighting.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

CHAOS REIGNS
By The Nation
Published on April 13, 2009

PM declares state of emergency, vows to restore law and order
Military dispatches forces and tanks to key centres in the capital

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/13/politics/politics_30100386.php

Thai soldiers spray gunfire, tear gas at protest
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_re_as/as_thailand_politics

A mob of the red-shirted protesters smashed cars carrying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his aides on Sunday. The secretary-general of Abhisit's office, Niphon Promphan, was dragged from the car and beaten, suffering head injuries and broken ribs.

Yahoo Slideshow:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Thailand/ss/events/wl/041209thailand

Red shirted protesters set fire on bus near Rajaparop Intersection

The red shirted protesters burned a bus in the Din Daeng area towards Rajaparop Intersection at about noon on Monday but officials managed to put the fire off shortly, Thai PBS reported.

4 soldiers shot by protesters: PM
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva addresses on TV, denying death report in the morning. He added that 23 soldiers and 47 protesters were injured. Four soldiers suffered bullet wounds.

The Nation

typo · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 11

I'm following this pretty closely, and was kind of surprised not to see anyone else posting about this rather severe development. I know there are teachers in Bangkok--what's the story? Are you guys okay, is there internet?

Be safe.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

One shot dead by red-shirted protesters

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30100464/One-shot-dead-by-red-shirted-protesters

Red-shirted protesters shot a person dead and injured two others when residents of the Nang Lerng Market came out to criticise the protesters, PM's Office Satit Wongnontaey said.

Satit told Channel 11 that the protesters shot at three people and one was killed while the two others were injured.

Death toll at Nang Lerng Market clash rises to 2

Bangkok Medical Department chief Phetpong Kamchornkijkarn said late Monday night that two persons were killed during the clash between vendors of Nang Lerng Market and red-shirted people.

They were identified as Pom Pholphanbua, 50, and Yutthakan Joichonchod, 18.

Nine vendors were also injured. Six of them were sent to the Hua Chiew Hospital and three to Central Hospital.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

AFTER THE CHAOS
More rallies 'as soon as decree ends'By THE NATION
Published on April 16, 2009

Movement will regroup and hit back stronger, Pheu Thai MP vows

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/16/politics/politics_30100611.php

CREDIT RATING
Thailand's ratings downgraded
By The Nation

Two international rating firms, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings, have downgraded Thailand's credit ratings on expectation that the political upheaval will gravely hurt investor confidence and tourist arrivals.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/16/business/business_30100629.php

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

Yawn... I have been out and about in Bangkok this entire past week and not only have I felt completely safe, but I never even ran into a single soldier, tank, checkpoint, or even protester (thats not true, I did run into some red shirts on the BTS last weekend and we shared a laugh as I was wearing and a red shirt and they asked if I was joining them). Unless you were in very select areas of Bangkok, you would not have known anything was going on. Even when I did venture near those select areas, I never once felt worried. I think this is the reason that not many people did not post about this.

The argument could be made that the constant political problems will affect the tourist trade and thus economy and thus other aspects of life in Thailand, but I don't think safety is a big issue here.

If you really want to get concerned about something in Thailand, get concerned about the 300+ people who died and near 10,000 injured from drunk driving related accidents during the 5 day Songkran festival.

I understand people not coming to Thailand because the salaries are low or because the immigration, labor and education departments are archaic or because the level of corruption is insane. But don't live in fear. Fear breeds insecurity, confusion and hatred.

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

Totally agree with you on this.

rigel · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308

[quote="MaiPenRai"]...
If you really want to get concerned about something in Thailand, get concerned about the 300+ people who died and near 10,000 injured from drunk driving related accidents during the [b]5 day[/b] Songkran festival....

[/quote]

Or the 4,000+ who've died down south in the Muslim uprising. It's funny how CNN will cover a story like one person getting shot at the wailing wall for like three weeks, but pay no mind to the fact over 4,000 have died in southern Thailand since 2004.